1996 Hunter 290 vs Bavaria Cruiser 34 — Comparison
1996 Hunter 290
Bavaria Cruiser 34
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1996 Hunter 290 | Bavaria Cruiser 34 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Bavaria |
| Year | 1996–2000 | 2010–2017 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Germany |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | Farr Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 10.25 m (33.6 ft) |
| LWL | 7.47 m (24.5 ft) | 9.15 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 3.42 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,493 kg (7,701 lbs) | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,361 kg (3,000 lbs) | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 38.9 m² (419 ft²) | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 90 L (23.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 180 L (47.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1996 Hunter 290 and Bavaria Cruiser 34 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1996 Hunter 290 is a 1990s design by Hunter from USA, while the Bavaria Cruiser 34 is a modern offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 1996 Hunter 290 was penned by Glenn Henderson. The Bavaria Cruiser 34 was designed by Farr Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the 1996 Hunter 290 measures 8.84m (29.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the Bavaria Cruiser 34 at 10.25m (33.6ft) with a 3.42m beam. The Bavaria Cruiser 34 is 1.41m longer than the 1996 Hunter 290. The Bavaria Cruiser 34 displaces approximately 57% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1996 Hunter 290 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.17 and 38.9 m² of sail area. The Bavaria Cruiser 34, with an SA/D of 16.30 and 50.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1996 Hunter 290 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1996 Hunter 290 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The Bavaria Cruiser 34 has a comfort ratio of 18.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 39.0% for the 1996 Hunter 290 and 30.9% for the Bavaria Cruiser 34, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1996 Hunter 290 provides 6 berths in 1 cabin with 76L of water capacity and 57L of fuel. The Bavaria Cruiser 34 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 180L water and 90L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1996 Hunter 290 is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The 1996 Hunter 290 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1996 Hunter 290 · Bavaria Cruiser 34